When Gluten Free Isn't The Only Issue?

[Nor-TX]

It is so difficult to menu plan when you have more than one issue to deal with. Other than needing gluten free foods, I have Colitis (no fresh veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, high fiber), IBS (no high acid foods, no grease, no spicy foods) Dairy Free (no milk and just a little goat cheese is ok). I am often dealing with pain and nausea, but when the drugs kick in I'm hungry but really don't know what to eat.

Just thought someone might be able to suggest ideas. I have gluten-free crackers, pretzels, rice noodle soup, sticky rice, gluten-free bagels and salmon.

I would welcome ideas.

[burdee]

  On 2/2/2010 at 8:25 PM, Nor_TX said:

It is so difficult to menu plan when you have more than one issue to deal with. Other than needing gluten free foods, I have Colitis (no fresh veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, high fiber), IBS (no high acid foods, no grease, no spicy foods) Dairy Free (no milk and just a little goat cheese is ok). I am often dealing with pain and nausea, but when the drugs kick in I'm hungry but really don't know what to eat.

Just thought someone might be able to suggest ideas. I have gluten-free crackers, pretzels, rice noodle soup, sticky rice, gluten-free bagels and salmon.

I would welcome ideas.

I can relate to pain and nausea, despite abstaining from gluten and my 6 other food allergies (dairy, soy, eggs, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg) plus several foods which cause reflux, even though I don't have diagnosed allergies to those. I was initially misdiagnosed (for 20 years) with 'IBS' (which is a label doctors give to symptoms they can't understand) before I learned I had celiac disease. However eliminating all my food allergens didn't prevent my colitis (cramping, bloating, gas, frequency, diarrhea and/or constipation). So I found a doc who founded a local 'IBS Treatment Center'. He believes that 'IBS' symptoms are caused by celiac disease, food allergies, bacteria, parasities and/or fungus (yeast) infections.

During the past 4 years I've been diagnosed (by stool test) and treated for 6 different gut infections (4 bacteria, 1 parasite and 1 yeast). I'm currently taking caprylic acid to treat achromobacter after finally recovering from c-diff after 8 months of treatment. I also take lots of probiotics to restore the good bacteria destroyed by antibiotic treatment.

Instead of taking drugs to suppress colitis or 'ibs' symptoms, I suggest you find a doctor who will look for the CAUSE of your symptoms. Ask for blood tests (like ELISA) for additional allergies and stool tests to determine if you have any bad bugs which could cause your 'colitis' symptoms.

SUE

[Nor-TX]

I've had many colonoscopies over the last 5 years and it is definitely colitis, GERD, gastro-paresis, hiatia hernia. The IBS and Gluten and Dairy came afterwards. I must say since going gluten free and for the most part dairy free, I am slowly beginning to feel better. Last night I only had to get up once because of the pains. This horrible flare began in November after I received the H1N1 shot, and after a week of eating all the wrong foods and trying to reduce the number of Asacol I am on. The combo of these three things drove me into the worse flare I have had since being diagnose about 5 years ago..

I am slowly pulling myself up out of this hole. Going gluten free and dairy free and still trying to stay within the confines of diets appropriate for colitis, GERD, IBS and gastro-paresis makes each and every bite I take a thought provoking endeavor.

Keep well.

[mommida]

Have you tried hummus? Chick peas pureed with oil.

I love the stuff and have practically eaten half a cup of the stuff in one sitting. But alas, my daughter can't have it because of the EE. I won't take the chance of cross-contamination with all the beans and leguemes.

[missy'smom]

  On 2/2/2010 at 8:25 PM, Nor_TX said:

It is so difficult to menu plan when you have more than one issue to deal with. Other than needing gluten free foods, I have Colitis (no fresh veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, high fiber), IBS (no high acid foods, no grease, no spicy foods) Dairy Free (no milk and just a little goat cheese is ok). I am often dealing with pain and nausea, but when the drugs kick in I'm hungry but really don't know what to eat.

Just thought someone might be able to suggest ideas. I have gluten-free crackers, pretzels, rice noodle soup, sticky rice, gluten-free bagels and salmon.

I would welcome ideas.

I have my own long list of off-limits foods. Focus on what you CAN have. Sit down and write down everything that you CAN have. Every spice, veg, herb, fat, meat, fruit etc. Don't get caught up in it, just write them down, even things that you don't normally eat or aren't necessarily your favorite foods, as long as your body is OK with them and they don't make you gag Post it on the fridge, keep an ongoing one on your computer, but get it out of your head and in print. Then look at them and say "What can I make with these?". Build a meal. Start with a protein, How will you cook it? Roast, broil, saute? What will you season it with? Pick a veg or two and do the same, add a carb. You may end up with very simple meals at first but in time, you'll get creative and find new and tasty combinations. In time you'll be comfortable adapting recipes and spotting products and recipes that'll work. But keep focused on whole foods and add things to the list as you discover them.

[Nor-TX]

All sound like good ideas. I eat fairly simply. For lunch today I had cooked some quinoa shell pasta, mixed in a little goat cheese, margarine and salt and pepper. It was like comfort food. I also found some wonderful Udi bagels at Whole Foods and toast 1/2 for lunch or dinner... very yummy.

My husband has his own issues around food choices so it isn't a question of having to cook a family dinner... we sort of do our own thing.

Thanks for the responses.